4 Motorcycles For Summer 2004

3- 2005 BMW R1100S BoxerCup Replika

Base retail price: $14,400

A pure sports bike, this racer looks like it belongs on the track. Fortunately, BMW is letting you bring it home. Only a limited number are being produced, however, so if you feel the Replika calling your name, respond quickly.

What you get is a compact, sleek bike capable of great cornering and incredible acceleration. The 1085cc engine can generate 98 hp at 7,500 rpm and 70 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm. New for 2005 is an efficient but throaty Laser exhaust system that will certainly wake up the neighborhood when you return home late at night after partying.

BMW also raised the chassis by 12mm, improving the lean angle for really serious riders. The rest of the frame and suspension is the standard sport configuration found on the R1150GS. In layman's terms, you get a really sweet, reliable base on which to ride your Replika.

Most interesting about this bike is the amount of small specifications that really enhance your driving experience. For example, the rear spring preload adjuster and rear and front rebound damping can all be changed in accordance with your driving habits, meaning you get optimal control when riding. The low beam headlamp, sturdy new windshield and front mudguard are added bonuses too.

Distinguishing feature: Though the BoxerCup Replika boasts tons of speed, it is the sporty exterior that will initially draw buyers in. The aerodynamic frame is coated in three-tone paint and is nicely married to a stainless steel, chrome-plated exhaust system.

4- 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune

Base retail price: $24,499

Yes, the Rune is near double or even triple the typical base price for a motorcycle. That's because it's much more than just a cruising bike. It's an icon, or at least, that's how Honda intends to position the cruiser.

Influenced by the hotrods of the '50s and Honda's early Valkyrie T-series of 2000, the Rune boasts nary a flaw. Its main draw, of course, is its exterior beauty. The stocky, low frame, chrome exhaust, optional $1,500 chrome wheels, and large headlight will catch the eye of all passersby. Instead of being flashy, the Rune has an understated elegance to it, like as if it was royalty.

Honda's custom bike doesn't disappoint in power or performance either. The 1832cc, horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine is taken from the Gold Wing model and is, in a word, beastly. You'll have to hold on tight when accelerating from idle, as the Rune can produce 110.9 pound-feet of torque and is notoriously heavy to get rolling. Once you're cruising however, the real greatness of the bike is evident. The ride is comfortable and almost effortless thanks to easy controls, a smooth transmission and strong brakes. Thankfully, the Rune's power is simple to corral, thanks to a revolutionary forked suspension and load-transfer linkage system.

With more fans than Britney Spears, the Rune is likely to be a benchmark in motorcycle making for years to come. The big question is: can Honda mass produce this type of engineering feat, duplicating every perfect piece of machinery?

Distinguishing feature: The Valkyrie Rune's compact frame, chrome pipes and seamless body work make it a moving work of art — truly poetry in motion.

ride it all day long

Between two Beemers, a Honda and a Yamaha, you have enough shock value, speed, power and performance to impress just about anybody. Whether you want to liven up your lifestyle or satisfy a need for speed, take advantage of the summer months by bringing one of these babies home.